Rebirth of a Farming Wife

“Wife, I’ve remembered everything you said. You don’t have to worry about me here. You’re the one who’s been through hardship with the children. It’s crucial that you take good care of yourself. Though your health has improved, you’re still weak at the core. Try to leave the children’s matters to the Nanny and servant girls; don’t do everything yourself and wear yourself out! Have you got that?” Han Yu touched Su Wenyue’s head as he spoke, his tone full of reluctance, then he repeated his cautions to their children.

“You must listen to Mother, eat well, study hard, and don’t cause trouble. Most importantly, don’t wear out your Mother, or else Daddy certainly won’t let you off the hook! Remember that?” Han Yu spoke sternly to the three children, but his voice was thick with fatherly love.

“There now, the children are still so young, and you’re giving them all these instructions. Aren’t you afraid they won’t understand?” Su Wenyue remarked, amused yet frustrated. The children were merely three years old, yet Han Yu was already disciplining them.

“Wife, it’s essential to raise children with discipline from an early age, to avoid over-indulgence. They may be young, but at three years old, they’re smarter than most children and can surely understand what I’m saying. You mustn’t spoil them, thinking it’s okay; it will lead them astray!” Han Yu had always had little tolerance for the way wealthy families spoiled their children, spoiling them to the point of ruin, so now that he had his children, he loved them dearly, yet he was especially strict on this matter. He didn’t realize the harshness of his tone at first, for he intended to express his concern for the burden Su Wenyue bore, knowing full-well from being at home how hard it was for her to care for the children, not wanting to wear her out, but such a tone made it hard to avoid misunderstanding.

Upon hearing Han Yu’s words, Su Wenyue felt angry. Although she loved her children deeply, she never indulged them blindly, for fear they would become spoiled. Now that the children had turned out this way, it was the result of her tireless efforts and nurturing. Everyone who met their children praised them, and yet Han Yu was criticizing her like this. Was she the kind of person to let her children run wild?!

“I’m raising them my way; they’ve not turned out crooked. If you think this isn’t good, then feel free to teach them yourself. When the time comes, you can do as you please; you don’t need to prod me with these remarks!” Su Wenyue spoke with some defiance, already the one investing the most time and effort into the children. Fearing the servants might not provide enough care, she often took on responsibilities herself rather than leaving them to others. For their sake, she even placed her business second to them. Han Yu, preoccupied with his affairs, rarely found time to rest, and it was only in his spare moments that he occasionally checked on the children. Given the impending separation, Su Wenyue was already not in the best of spirits, feeling even more aggrieved now.

What was supposed to be a tender and loving farewell turned awkward between husband and wife over a disagreement regarding the upbringing of the children.

Seeing how aggrieved his wife looked, Han Yu knew he had spoken too strongly, perhaps being too demanding. Indeed, their children had been raised exceptionally well by his wife, even at such tender ages, which was no small feat. Besides, he felt guilty towards both his wife and the children; in pursuit of revenge and his ideals, he had neglected them to some extent. Yet, he could not abandon his quest, at least not now, nor did he have a way out.

“Wife, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry to you and the children,” Han Yu said with a sense of helplessness and apology, guilt evident on his face.

Seeing Han Yu like this, Su Wenyue’s heart softened. She understood him; Han Yu was a man with ambitions, something she had known long before. He couldn’t place his entire focus on her and the children, and what he had managed so far was already commendable. She had been too demanding, and after all, Han Yu’s words were out of concern for the children. Seeing the guilt and apology on Han Yu’s face, she felt even worse.

“Husband, I’m sorry, I’m just struggling to part and feeling miserable. I don’t blame you. You’re in your prime, and it’s time for you to work hard, to strive for your ideals and revenge. Don’t worry about the affairs at home; I’m here for that. I will guide the children properly, to make them strive to become successful and useful people.”

If it had been a regular day, Su Wenyue might have had a thorough discussion with Han Yu about raising their children, especially since there was an implication in his words that questioned her ability. But with their parting looming, she did not want Han Yu, who would soon be shedding blood and sweat, to worry about the three of them.

Seeing his wife react this way made Han Yu feel even more remorseful, but he buried the guilt and regret in his heart: “With you here, Wife, I’m very reassured. Our children are really wonderful, too.”

After finishing, Han Yu turned to their eldest son, Brother Xing: “Brother Xing, you’re the eldest. You must lead your younger siblings, listen to your Mother carefully, and look after her. Don’t worry your Father.”

Brother Xing, who had been quite worried about the conflict between his parents, felt much better seeing them reconcile. At his father’s instruction, he quickly replied, “Don’t worry, Father. I will take good care of Mother and my younger siblings. You don’t need to worry about us.”

The two younger siblings, though not as ‘mature’ as their elder brother, were also sharp little ones. Seeing Brother Xing take on a ‘serious responsibility’ from their father, they immediately followed suit: “Don’t worry, Father. We’re very good and will listen to Brother Xing and take good care of Mother.”

Spending less time with the children, Han Yu was all the more pleased to see not only Brother Xing but also the two younger siblings being so sensible: “Very good, you’re all good children. Father trusts you.”

“Alright, Younger Sister, Brother-in-law, it’s about time we head out,” Su Hengxuan saw the couple’s intimacy dragging on without end and spoke out, feeling a touch of sourness inside. He would also be staying behind in Yiyang Prefecture to assist Liu Xiu – why didn’t his sister seem to have trouble parting from him? It was as if having a husband made her forget her brother.

Han Yu had secretly arranged for the evacuation of Su Wenyue and the children, knowing they shouldn’t delay too long. He nodded his head, “It’s time to leave. My wife and children are young and inexperienced; I entrust everything to my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. Please keep a close eye on them on the journey.”

Hearing Han Yu say this, Su Hengxuan couldn’t help rolling his eyes: “Brother-in-law, my sister is my parents’ biological daughter, and my nephews are their biological grandchildren. You don’t need to tell them to take care of their own; your instructions seem a bit redundant.”

Teased by his brother-in-law, Han Yu touched his nose sheepishly,